To James Madison from David Gelston, 7 November 1805
From David Gelston
NewYork Novr. 7th. 1805
Dear Sir
Enclosed is Capt. Bells bill of lading for two cases, I also enclose an account of the duties and expenses I have paid.1
The articles have received so much damage in the several changes they have undergone & the marks being so imperfect, perhaps some of the articles shipped to the President may belong to you. I have made a statement (enclosed) of the different proportions of Messrs. Robinson & Hartshornes bill of tonnage, but you will see it must be guesswork. You will have the goodness to arrange the whole.
I shall not trouble the President with another long statement, only beg leave to refer him to you.
Mr. Butler has paid his proportion of all expenses but tonnage money $168. If the statement is correct his proportion is $30.44.
The articles are all shipped to the care of the Collector at Alexandria I dare not wait longer—but unfortunately, the next day after I had engaged Capt Bell—Capt Lee, bound direct to Washington made his appearance from Connecticut. Sincerely yours
David Gelston
RC and enclosures (DLC). For enclosures, see n. 1.
1. The enclosures (4 pp.; each dated 7 Nov. 1805) are (1) a list of expenses for tonnage and light money on the Adventure ($168), duties on the imported goods ($45.50), and cartage and storage ($8.44), from which was deducted $9.64 received from Pierce Butler, for a total of $211.85. JM further deducted the $30.44 due from Butler for tonnage; (2) a bill of lading for two cases shipped on board the President from New York to the collector at Alexandria, signed by Boaz Bell Jr.; (3) a detailed statement of the $45.50 in duties; and (4) a breakdown (docketed by JM) of the $168 tonnage showing $102.34 due from Jefferson for seven boxes and two jars, $9.54 from JM for one box, $30.44 from Butler for two boxes, $15.41 for one box marked MM, and $10.27 for an unmarked box, from which JM again deducted the $30.44 due from Butler. For JM’s wine that was captured by the British and brought to Halifax, see Gelston to JM, 8 Aug. 1805.